Brad Keselowski honored as the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champ: #2-Brad Keselowski was officially honored as the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion during Friday night’s awards banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas. The evening capped a week long of festivities during Champion’s Week in Las Vegas that commemorated the Sprint Cup Series season and culminated with Friday’s traditional series banquet. Keselowski, owner Roger Penske, Penske Racing president, crew chief Paul Wolfe and other members of the organization were celebrated as the title winning team at the gala event where they took home over $5 million. "I feel like a lottery winner," Keselowski said. "My tickets are Paul Wolfe, Roger Penske and everyone on the #2 team. I'm a lottery winner with all of you. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about that." Each driver in the top 10 addressed the crowd leading up to Keselowski’s moment in the spotlight, which was tempered a bit by an illness and a slight loss of voice. Train, Lifehouse, Natasha Bedingfield, Phillip Phillips and performers from The Beatles LOVE all took the stage during the night’s program, which was hosted by comedian Howie Mandel. After the banquet the champions moved the celebration to the adjacent Encore hotel/casino. See full article at the Motor Racing Network; others at USA Today, NASCAR.com and RacinToday.(12-1-2012)

2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Banquet: The postseason, black tie event will begin at 5:00am/pt (8:00pm/et) at Wynn Las Vegas, where #2-Brad Keselowski, the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion driver, and team owner Roger Penske will be crowned. The top 10 drivers in the final standings will be honored. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards, the culmination of Champion's Week, will feature red carpet arrivals, celebrity guests, music and entertainment. Hosted by "America's Got Talent" judge Howie Mandel, the show will feature performances by Train, Lifehouse, Natasha Bedingfield, Phillip Phillips and entertainers from The Beatles LOVE. SPEED, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will provide live coverage of the event. Prior to the awards, NASCAR.COM will live stream a Miss Sprint Cup chat with Brad Keselowski. For more information on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week in Las Vegas, see Jayski's 2012 Cup Awards page or visit NASCAR.com/ChampionsWeek.

Day Four: 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Keselowski Savors Success: #2-Brad Keselowski was all smiles Friday as he gathered with his Penske Racing family – tuxedo-clad – for the traditional NASCAR Sprint Cup championship photos. After a whirlwind of post-Homestead-Miami Speedway appearances stretching south to north, east to west and culminating with Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, the magnitude of what Keselowski, owner Roger Penske, crew chief Paul Wolfe and the entire Penske organization had accomplished. “I’ve enjoyed every second of my time in Vegas,” Keselowski said. “It was tough to really sit back and realize how special this opportunity is. Because of that, now I really want to come back next year and do it all again. The fans have been amazing this week. I can’t believe how many came out to celebrate this week with me. It’s special how passionate our fans are, and I’m proud to be a part of all of it for them.”
Wolfe especially enjoyed Tuesday’s tour of various Las Vegas landmarks such as the Welcome To Las Vegas sign, the set of Beatles LOVE at The Mirage and the House of Blues Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay. To view and download those photos, visit nascarmedia.com. “There was a lot to take in. It seemed like we were non-stop on the go. I tried to take it all in and enjoy it,” said the championship crew chief.
The week’s highlights included the champion’s media tour, participation by all 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifiers in Wednesday’s game-show style “Smarter Than A Fifth Grader” at the Fremont Street Experience and Thursday’s annual NASCAR/NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon during which Keselowski received the Goodyear Tires and Sunoco Diamond Performance awards.
Thursday’s traditional Victory Lap during which NASCAR Sprint Cup stock cars performed burnouts on the famed Las Vegas Boulevard and the NASCAR After the Lap Sponsored by Ford and Coca-Cola wrapped the lead-up to Friday night’s 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards hosted by “America’s Got Talent” judge Howie Mandel at Wynn Las Vegas. SPEED, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will provide live coverage of the event beginning at 8 pm/et.(NASCAR)(11-30-2012)

Day Three: Gordon ‘Deeply Honored’ At Myers Brothers Accolade: Shock and genuine surprise. That was Jeff Gordon’s emotional reaction to being named the 2012 recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association’s Myers Brothers Award during Thursday’s traditional NASCAR/NMPA Myers Brothers Award luncheon at the Encore in Las Vegas. “Oh boy, this is a surprise. I’m having a hard time composing myself,” said Gordon, during the Champion’s Week event. “Couldn’t someone have warned me first?” Named for NASCAR racing pioneers Billy and Bob Myers, the award recognizes individuals and groups which have provided outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing. Past recipients are a virtual who’s-who of the industry – drivers, owners, track operators, sponsors and members of the media – and include nearly every current member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Gordon’s accomplishments are two-fold: his on-track success, which includes four NASCAR Sprint Cup championships and 87 victories; and his charitable activities when not competing.
“Off the track, he has raised countless funds for charity through his foundation for pediatric cancer research,” said Burt Myers, grandson of Billy Myers, upon presenting the award with brother Jason Myers to Gordon. “He has traveled to Rwanda to aid with health care as well as partnering with an organization to put it on the side of his race car as a drive to end hunger.” “I am deeply honored, proud of the work that I do on and off the track,” said Gordon. “This is fantastic. Thank you.”
NASCAR Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Office Brian France congratulated 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup champions Brad Keselowski and Roger Penske and the Miller Lite organization. France also commented on the youth movement in the NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and first-time events due to take place in both national series in 2013. Also announced at Thursday’s luncheon was the NASCAR NMPA Most Popular Driver Award, given to Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the 10th consecutive year. This now ties him with Bill Elliott as the only other drivers to be presented the award 10 straight years. Elliott, however, remains the all-time leader with 16 overall. Earlier Thursday, Chevrolet unveiled its next generation NASCAR Sprint Cup car – the new SS model – which, while tested extensively with Ford’s Fusion and Toyota’s Camry, had its configuration obscured in camouflage. The wraps officially came off today at the Wynn’s Encore Theater before hundreds of media members and industry and sanctioning body officials.
Four teams and their drivers displayed their next generation Chevrolets – the #1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and Jamie McMurray; #14 Stewart-Haas Racing and Tony Stewart; the #29 Richard Childress Racing and Kevin Harvick and the #48 Hendrick Motorsports and Jimmie Johnson. “We've both been focusing on a number of important initiatives to build a stronger connection with our fans by incorporating relevant technologies that we're using on today's high-performance Chevrolets, while also creating designs that help our fans make the link between what they see on the track, on the streets and in Chevy showrooms,” said Mark Reuss, president of General Motors North America, comparing the SS passenger car with its competition-prepared counterpart. “The new SS won’t be mistaken for any other car on the track. It bears a striking resemblance to our production car, the 2014 SS and that will be in showrooms here next fall.”
“This thing looks amazing. It looks fantastic,” said Gordon. NASCAR President Mike Helton thanked Chevrolet, as well as the sport’s other manufacturers, for their collaborative efforts to move NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition forward. “The anticipation going into 2013 is building, it will build over the off season and it'll be, we feel, one of the milestones that we'll look back as we celebrate our history in the future; we'll look back and see 2013 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup car as a very significant milestone for us,” said Helton. Thousands of fans lined The Strip – Las Vegas Boulevard – as the top 12 drivers celebrated the conclusion of the 2012 season with the Fourth Annual Victory Lap. Engines rumbled and smoke from burnouts filled the air during the popular event which started and ended at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Additional events Thursday included the NASCAR After The Lap Sponsored by Ford and Coca-Cola, a “tell-all” driver-fan interaction that’s quickly become one of the most sought after off-track tickets. Day Three of Champion’s Week ended with the presentation of the “Stewie Awards,” three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart’s sometimes irreverent take on the 2012 season.
Here is the complete list of Thursday’s award winners from the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon:
Myers Brothers Award: Jeff Gordon
NASCAR NMPA Most Popular Driver Award: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Buddy Shuman Award: Ken Squier
NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award: Mars Inc.
3M Lap Leader Award: Jimmie Johnson
American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award: Jimmie Johnson
Coors Light Pole Award: Jimmie Johnson
DIRECTV Crew Chief of the Year Award: Matt Puccia, crew chief for Greg Biffle #16
Freescale Wide Open Award: Matt Kenseth
Goodyear Tires Award (Champion): Brad Keselowski
MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award: Shane Parsnow, Hendrick Motorsports #48 Team
Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award: Michael Waltrip Racing #56 Team
Mobil 1 Driver of the Year Award: Denny Hamlin
MOOG Steering & Suspension Problem Solver of the Year Award: Steve Addington, crew chief for Tony Stewart #14
Sunoco Diamond Performance Award (Champion): Brad Keselowski
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award: Stephen Leicht
USG Improving the Finish Award: Tony Stewart
Champion Sponsor Award: Miller Lite
Champion Crew Chief: Paul Wolfe.
(NASCAR)(11-30-2012)

Recovering Troops Get Dressed in Style for NASCAR Event: Spc. Cleber Ferreira — who suffered back, leg and head injuries when 400 pounds of explosives detonated beneath his Stryker vehicle in Afghanistan in 2010 — is part of a group of more than a dozen wounded warriors and their guests visiting Las Vegas with the USO to take part in NASCAR's Champions Week celebration. On Thursday, they were to sit atop a double-decker bus and lead a parade of stock cars down Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as The Strip. Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski will perform a celebratory burnout and race teams will conduct pit stops in front of the Bellagio's famed fountains. On Friday, it'll be time to break out the formalwear for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony at the Wynn, a swanky gala where, between performances from celebrity entertainers, NASCAR will honor the top 10 finishers in the points standings. The wounded warriors — on a break from recovering at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, or Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland — were looking sharp during their trial run Wednesday at Tuxedo Junction and David's Bridal in Las Vegas. Lance Cpl. Nathan Jakubisin, whose right leg was amputated below the knee after an improvised explosive device attack in Afghanistan in June, initially worried that he might have to wear shorts with his tux because the pants wouldn't fit over the metal fixator holding together his left leg.(USO)(11-30-2012)

Day Two: Drivers Share Champion’s Week Laughs: Whether NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers are smarter than fifth graders remains a matter of debate after Wednesday’s Las Vegas Motor Speedway-sponsored Fanfest at the Fremont Street Experience. But the event, a highlight on Day Two of Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, was proof that the 12 qualifiers for this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ enjoy a good laugh – especially at their own expense – and the opportunity to mingle with hundreds of NASCAR fans young and old. Only Martin Truex Jr. was willing, beforehand, to admit to being smarter than the fifth graders from Nellis Air Force Base’s Lomie Heard Elementary School. That turned out to be the wrong decision as neither he nor Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Clint Bowyer were able to supply the winning answers to various math questions, the length of the regular term of a U.S. Senator and the name of the line that separates the earth’s top and bottom halves.
Stump the drivers, then, might have been the most descriptive title for the hour’s worth of fun, hosted by Miss Sprint Cup Kim Coon and former Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year Kevin Burke, who plies his comic trade at Fremont Street Experience’s Fitzgeralds Hotel and Casino. “We drive cars for a reason,” observed Kevin Harvick after one wrong response, possibly speaking for each of his 11 colleagues. In the end, the winners were Brad Keselowski and Tony Stewart, current and former NASCAR Sprint Cup champions. Stewart supplied the correct answer – after giving Burke the opening to comment on the driver’s ample midsection. “You’ve still got your washboard stomach,” Burke told the three-time champion. “You’re just carrying a load of laundry on it.”
Keselowski joined the fun by lifting the team’s fifth grader overhead, trophy-style. Also honored on Wednesday were this year’s finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award – Ron Eby, Michael Jackson, Ali McDonough and Lorri Shealy Unumb – at an evening reception at Wynn Las Vegas. The NASCAR Foundation will announce the Award winner during this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards on Friday, Nov. 30. Fans can cast their vote to determine the 2012 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award winner by visiting NASCAR.COM/award before 11:59 p.m. ET November 29. For more information on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, visit NASCAR.com/ChampionsWeek.(NASCAR)(11-29-2012)

Day One: Keselowski Arrives In Las Vegas For Champion’s Week: Newly crowned NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski’s whirlwind of activity continues. Different day, different city, different setting. The run-up to Champion’s Week took Keselowski to the Big Apple and multiple appearances including “Late Show With David Letterman.” On Tuesday he was still talking about meeting the comic host. “He was even funnier in person than on TV,” said Keselowski. Little wonder then, embarking on the opening day of Champion’s Week festivities in Las Vegas that Keselowski was channeling Willie Nelson, singing the opening lines of “On the Road Again.” A road that began in early March in Daytona Beach, Fla. with the Daytona 500 will reach its climax on Friday when Keselowski, team owner Roger Penske and crew chief Paul Wolfe will celebrate their first NASCAR Sprint Cup championships at Wynn Las Vegas. But first things first as Champion’s Week steam rolls to the main event – the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas on Friday at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET live on SPEED, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Tuesday was media day for the 28-year-old, first-time champion. “You have questions; I have answers,” Keselowski said in greeting a television interviewer. At the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the subject matter turned to tanks. Keselowski, whose foundation serves military personnel and veterans, agreed a tank would make a nice addition to his collection of vehicles. “I don’t want to do what everyone else does; I want to be different,” he said. “It will look good parked in my driveway behind my gate.” Joking aside, Keselowski spoke highly of the next generation stock car he and his NASCAR Sprint Cup rivals will drive in 2013 calling it a “game changer for the sport.” He added, “It has way more growth potential than the current model.” Keselowski and Wolfe surveyed the Wynn’s spacious hall where workers are readying the banquet room and red carpet area. He playfully picked up Clint Bowyer’s banner and placed it behind his own – just to be sure everyone knew who finished first. The champion visited a number of Las Vegas’ iconic "destinations," including the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, the set of Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage and the House of Blues Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay.
Keselowski also participated in the opening day of NASCAR 2012 Motorsports Marketing Forum at the Aria, an event that continues on Wednesday. Overall, Keselowski was pleased to be back in Las Vegas – the 32nd-place finish in March’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway all but forgotten. “Vegas is a special place to be,” he said. “It is a win-win situation for NASCAR and the fans. We love coming out here. It is a great week to be a race fan in Las Vegas.” NASCAR’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifiers take over downtown’s legendary Fremont Street Experience on Wednesday for the Fourth Annual Fanfest Presented by Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 12 drivers will walk the red carpet, interact with fans and participate in a game-show format hosted by comic Carrot Top.(NASCAR)(11-27-2012)

Strip Seize: NASCAR Takes Over Las Vegas During Champion’s Week: To the victor go the spoils. And this week in Las Vegas, we’ve got two big winners. First, of course, is 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski. Keselowski outlasted and outperformed 11 of the best drivers in the world over the 10-race stretch known as the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. In doing so, the 28-year-old captured the first NASCAR premier series championship for owner Roger Penske – and set the sport on high alert that a youth movement is upon it. Winner No. 2? The fans.
For those passionate NASCAR fans who flock to Las Vegas, a full menu of activities awaits. For those who couldn’t make the trip, there’s good news. Much of it will be either broadcast on television and radio or streamed live on NASCAR.COM. Here’s the lineup, which kicks off in earnest tomorrow and culminates with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at the Wynn Las Vegas on Friday at 5pm/pt/8 pm/et live on SPEED, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Tuesday – Wednesday, Nov. 27-28
· NASCAR 2012 Motorsports Marketing Forum: The 13th annual NASCAR Motorsports Marketing Forum, presented by SportsBusiness Journal/Daily, is the motorsports industry’s most comprehensive business forum. Held at Aria Resort & Casino, the Forum will feature an array of insight and perspective from sports and marketing executives both within and outside the motorsports industry. Keselowski will be in attendance for the champion’s “fireside chat.” For more information, visit www.motorsportsmarketingforum.com.
· NASCAR Live: Motor Racing Network’s third annual champion’s edition of “NASCAR Live” with Eli Gold will be held at Wynn Las Vegas Race and Sports Book Tuesday, Nov. 27, starting at 4pm/pt. Gold will spend the hour with the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, taking calls and answering questions from the live audience.
Tuesday – Saturday, Nov. 27-Dec. 1
· NASCAR Pit Stop Tour: The Pit Stop Tour consists of Official Partner show cars featured in iconic locations throughout the Las Vegas strip from 10am-6pm/pt each day. Fans can get up close and personal with the cars at the following locations: Welcome to Las Vegas sign on Las Vegas Blvd. (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Car); Coca-Cola Store (Coca-Cola); New York, New York (Chevrolet); Bally’s (Ford); and Fashion Show (Toyota).
Wednesday, Nov. 28
· Fanfest Presented by Las Vegas Motor Speedway: The fourth annual Fanfest event will be held on Fremont Street, and begin at 2pm/pt, with the arrival of the top 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers. The event will consist of a red carpet walk by the 12 drivers followed by a special “game show format” on-stage event featuring the drivers and hosted by nationally known comedian Carrot Top. Race fans will have the chance to win two tickets to the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards to be held two nights later at Wynn Las Vegas. Highlights from the event can be viewed on NASCAR.COM Wednesday evening.
· Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Reception: This year’s finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award will be honored at a reception at Wynn Las Vegas from 6-7pm/pt Following, The NASCAR Foundation will announce the Award winner during this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards on Friday, Nov. 30. Fans can cast their vote to determine the 2012 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award winner by visiting NASCAR.COM/award before 11:59 pm/et November 29.
Thursday, Nov. 29
· Chevrolet SS Race Car Unveiled at Wynn Las Vegas: A press conference will be held, at 9:30am/pt, at the Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas, to unveil the 2013 Chevrolet SS NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car. Media attendance is encouraged; however, this event is not open to the public. The event will be streamed live on NASCAR.COM.
· NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon: The annual awards luncheon and industry gathering will be held from 11am-1:15pm/pt, in the Encore Ballroom at Encore Las Vegas, where several team awards will be presented. Among those awards included are the Champion Sponsor, Champion Crew Chief, Sunoco Rookie of the Year and NMPA Most Popular Driver awards. The event will be streamed live on NASCAR.COM.
· NASCAR Victory Lap: The green flag on fan-favorite NASCAR Victory Lap will wave at 3:30pm/pt, with pre-lap festivities to begin at 3:00pm/pt, when the top 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers will parade down Las Vegas Blvd. in their race cars with engines roaring. NASCAR Victory Lap will start and finish on Las Vegas Blvd., in front of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, and will once again provide fans with a unique experience to feel the excitement of a NASCAR start line, feature an authentic pit stop (performed by members of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program presented by Sprint) and two burn-out sections for drivers — with viewing areas along the route. The event will be broadcast live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel 90 and streamed live on NASCAR.COM.
· NASCAR After The Lap Sponsored by Ford and Coca-Cola: One of the premier events of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week, NASCAR After the Lap Sponsored by Ford and Coca-Cola will be held from 5:00-6:30pm/pt, at PH LIVE located in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Fans can purchase tickets at www.NASCARafterthelap.com for $20 each (all proceeds benefit The NASCAR Foundation) to attend the unpredictable, unforgettable driver tell-all event featuring the top 12 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers. The event will be broadcast live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel 90 and live streamed on NASCAR.COM.
· The Stewie Awards: Following NASCAR After The Lap, 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart and Matt Yocum will host the sixth annual “Stewie Awards,” a lighthearted year-in-review, which airs live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel 90.
Friday, Nov. 30
· 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards: The postseason, black tie event will begin at 5am/pt at Wynn Las Vegas, where the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion driver and owner will be crowned and the top 10 drivers in the final standings will be honored. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards, the culmination of Champion’s Week, will feature red carpet arrivals, celebrity guests, music and entertainment. Hosted by “America’s Got Talent” judge Howie Mandel, the show will feature performances by Train, Lifehouse, Natasha Bedingfield, Phillip Phillips and entertainers from The Beatles LOVE. SPEED, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will provide live coverage of the event. Prior to the awards, NASCAR.COM will live stream a Miss Sprint Cup chat with Brad Keselowski.
For more information on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas, visit NASCAR.com/ChampionsWeek.(NASCAR)(11-27-2012)

Las Vegas fan events scheduled:
TUESDAY
4 p.m. – "NASCAR Live"
What: MRN's Eli Gold will host a special edition of the one-hour "NASCAR Live" show with champion Brad Keselowski as his guest. They will take calls and answer live questions from the audience.
Where: Wynn Sports Book
Admission: Free
WEDNESDAY
2 p.m. – Fanfest
What: A red carpet walk through fans (a prime opportunity for autographs) followed by a game show with all 12 Chase drivers, hosted by Carrot Top.
Where: Fremont Street
Admission: Free
THURSDAY
3:30 p.m. – NASCAR Victory Lap
What: The Chase drivers will parade in their cars down the Las Vegas Strip as thousands of people line the street to watch. They'll also do two burnouts and a live pit stop at different locations during the lap.
Where: The route starts at Planet Hollywood, goes north to the Wynn (one of the burnout spots), then drivers turn around and come back to Planet Hollywood.
Admission: Free
5 p.m. – NASCAR After the Lap
What: Perhaps the most fun 90 minutes of the NASCAR season, the Chase drivers tell stories and tease each other on stage in front of an enthusiastic audience. This is where Jeff Gordon did his break-dancing demonstration last year.
Where: PH Live, a venue in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.
Admission: $20 (the event sold out last year)
7 p.m. – The Stewies
What: Tony Stewart hosts his annual Sirius/XM Radio awards show with Matt Yocum and special guests.
Where: Cabo Wabo Cantina, Miracle Mile Shops at the Planet Hollywood Casino
Admission: Free
(SB Nation)(11-26-2012)

FINAL 2012 Sprint Cup Driver CHASE Championship Points Standings:
[after Homestead, race 36 of 36]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski [5 wins], 2400 - The 2012 CHAMP
2) #15-Clint Bowyer [3 wins], 2361, -394
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson [5 wins], 2360, -40
4) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 2345, -55
5) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 2332, -68
6) #11-Denny Hamlin [5 wins], 2329, -71
7) #17-Matt Kenseth [3 wins], 2324, -76
8) #29-Kevin Harvick [1 win], 2321, -79
9) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 2311, -89
10) #24-Jeff Gordon [2 wins], 2303, -97
11) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 2299, -101
12) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 2245, -155
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf) and the owner points standings on the Owners Points Standings page (pdf).

Championship Fast Facts:
Brad Keselowski won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. His previous best series points finish was fifth, last season.
Keselowski is the second driver to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series championships (Bobby Labonte). Keselowski won the NASCAR Nationwide title in 2010.
Keselowski needed 125 starts to win his first championship, the fewest starts since Jeff Gordon in 1995 (93).
Keselowski posted two wins, three top fives and eight top 10s in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup this season.
Keselowski finished the 2012 season with five wins, 13 top fives and 23 top 10s
Owner Champion
This is Penske Racing's first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.
Owner Roger Penske's previous best points standings finish was second with NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Rusty Wallace in 1993.
Penske has been fielding cars in NASCAR in 1972.
This is Dodges fifth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, and first since 1975. The other Dodge champions: David Pearson (1966), Bobby Isaac (1970) and Richard Petty (1974-75).
Penske Racing won its first NASCAR title in 2010, when Keselowski won the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship.
Crew Chief Champion
This is Paul Wolfe's first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship and second NASCAR national series championship (NNS; 2010)
Wolfe is the first crew chief to win both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series championship
Wolfe and Keselowski have combined for eight NASCAR Sprint Cup wins – three in 2011 and five in 2012.
They also won six NASCAR Nationwide races together, all in their championship winning season of 2010.
(NASCAR Statistics)(11-18-2012)

Multiple Music & Entertainment Acts will rock the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards: The Wynn Las Vegas will truly be star-studded on Nov. 30, when Train, Lifehouse, Natasha Bedingfield, Phillip Phillips and performers from The Beatles LOVE take the stage during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards will be hosted by “America’s Got Talent” judge Howie Mandel and will begin at 8:00pm/et with live coverage on SPEED, Motor Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The awards are the culmination of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week and will honor the 2012 champion along with the rest of the top 10 drivers in the final Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings.
Three-time Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum rock band Train is quite familiar with performing in front of NASCAR audiences. Lead singer Pat Monahan sang the National Anthem for the 54th running of the Daytona 500 this past February, and the entire band performed hits from its new album “California 37” at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway in July. In addition to boasting three Grammy Awards, Train has won two Billboard Music Awards for Top Rock Artist and Top Rock Song, as well as the 2011 American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Pop Music Award for Song of the Year for “Hey, Soul Sister.”
American rock band Lifehouse and international pop singer and songwriter Natasha Bedingfield, known for her Grammy Award-nominated single “Unwritten” and other chart-topping hits like “These Words” and “Pocket Full Of Sunshine,” are set for a compelling joint performance of their new hit single "Between The Raindrops.” Lifehouse broke through in 2001 with the Billboard Hot 100 Single of the Year Award for its hit “Hanging by a Moment.” Since then, Lifehouse has had 15 consecutive singles appear on multiple charts making them one of the most successful bands of the 21st century. Lifehouse’s new album, “Almeria,” will be released on Geffen Records on Dec. 11.
Since winning the 11th season of “American Idol” in May, 22-year-old singer and guitarist Phillip Phillips immediately launched his single entitled “Home,” eventually seeing it go double platinum after elevating to No. 1 on the iTunes Pop Chart. Phillips released his first major label album entitled “The World from the Side of the Moon” on Monday, Nov. 19. His live performance at the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards will be one of his first following the release of his debut album.
Additionally, NASCAR fans will be treated to a special performance from the cast of The Beatles LOVE. Combining the magic of Cirque du Soleil with the spirit and passion of The Beatles, LOVE celebrates the musical legacy of the Fab Four through high-energy fusions of urban, freestyle dance, acrobatics and fast-paced athleticism.
The 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, Brad Keselowski, was crowned on Sunday, Nov. 18 following NASCAR’s premier series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Keselowski took home his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title in just his third full season in the series, and it is also the first championship in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for team owner Roger Penske.(NASCAR)(11-22-2012)

Howie Mandel to Host NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards: When the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards get underway later this month in Las Vegas, superstar comedian, actor, producer, author and judge Howie Mandel will take the stage in another role he is extremely familiar with: show host. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards, which begin at 8:00 pm/et on Nov. 30 with live coverage on SPEED, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, are the culmination of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week and will honor the 2012 champion along with the rest of the top 10 drivers in the final Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings. Other entertainment-related announcements regarding the awards show will be announced in the coming weeks.(NASCAR)(11-6-2012)

Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week Returns To Las Vegas for next 3 years: NASCAR announced that the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards - and all of Champion's Week - will return to Las Vegas, Nev., and remain there for the next three years. For the fourth-consecutive season, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards will take place at Wynn Las Vegas on Friday, Nov. 30, a culmination of a week-long celebration for the series champion - and NASCAR fans. As in past years, fans can expect the traditionally exciting and interactive week of activities.
"Experience tells us that Las Vegas creates the perfect backdrop for our sport and our fans to join us in celebrating a NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship," said Steve Phelps, chief marketing officer for NASCAR. "Returning Champion's Week and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards to Vegas for the next three years will help our loyal fans crystallize their plans to join us in putting the finishing touches on the season that was with a series of intriguing events across the city."
From 1981 until 2008, NASCAR held its year-ending premier series awards show in New York City before moving to Las Vegas in 2009. Since then, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards has been held at the Wynn Las Vegas, and has grown in stature and prestige with each passing year.
Fans can count on another star-studded and entertainment-filled week, culminating in the highly-anticipated NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards. During last year's official crowning of Tony Stewart as champion, Sprint announced its renewed commitment to the sport through 2016, and renowned multimedia superstar Reba hosted and singer-songwriter and musicianKid Rock performed for members of the NASCAR industry and fans.
A full lineup of activity during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week will be announced at a later date.(NASCAR)(5-7-2012)

NASCAR announces Nationwide and Truck awards banquet: NASCAR announced the date and location for its 2012 postseason championship celebrations for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The combined NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Awards will return to South Florida for 2012 and be held at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, located in the heart of South Beach. The event is scheduled for Monday, November 19, following the Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Similar to past award shows, this year's event will honor the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champions, as determined during the Homestead-Miami Speedway race weekend, November 16-18. "Celebrating the champions of the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in Miami Beach enables us to continue the wave of excitement out of championship weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway," said Steve Phelps, NASCAR senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "The backdrop makes for an ideal location to honor those champions — and their teams and sponsors — after their great seasons."(NASCAR)(6-20-2012)